North Korea is restructuring its supply chains for essential goods, shifting focus from Chinese to Russian trade routes as part of an expanding bilateral trade relationship, Daily NK has learned.
A source in North Korea told Daily NK recently that the party’s Economic Affairs Department ratified an order on Feb. 8, which was issued the following day as an additional administrative directive for February. The order went to the Ministry of External Economic Relations, Ministry of Land and Maritime Transportation, other related ministries, and provincial trade agencies.
“The Cabinet issued this additional order due to urgent needs beyond February’s basic economic plan,” the source said. The directive primarily focuses on redirecting procurement of essential supplies like oil, food, and fertilizer to Russia, reflecting the Cabinet’s view that “transactions with Russia are more reliable than trade with China, which has become unstable due to sanctions and restrictions.”
This shift does not signal an end to Chinese trade. Rather, it represents a temporary measure for the first half of the year to secure more goods through Moscow. The move appears strategic, aimed at establishing alternative trade channels with Russia before the new Trump administration can implement measures to counter growing Pyongyang-Moscow ties.
The Cabinet has instructed trade entities through the Ministry of External Economic Relations to relocate existing trade hubs and delegations from Rason to Russia. Working-level teams are being rushed to Russia this month to sign large-scale contracts, with plans to triple last year’s resource deals with the Russian Far East.
“The Cabinet plans to import about 160,000 tons (approximately 1.2 million barrels) of oil from Russia between February and June,” the source revealed. This volume would exceed the annual limit of 500,000 barrels of refined oil imposed by U.N. Security Council Resolution 2397.
The Ministry of Land and Maritime Transportation has been ordered to increase Russian cargo ship access to the ports of Najin and Chongjin, including procurement of additional port management equipment to facilitate smooth imports.
“The order includes plans to import 3,000 tons of flour starting in February, along with other foodstuffs, and approximately 5,000 tons of fertilizer from the Russian Far East in March,” the source added. However, they noted that these imports may not immediately benefit ordinary citizens, as “the items will likely be allocated to state agencies first.”
Im Eul-Chul, a professor at Kyungnam University’s Institute for Far Eastern Studies in Seoul, told Daily NK that these developments align with the comprehensive partnership treaty signed by both nations last year. “North Korea no longer considers international sanctions a constraint in its relationship with Russia,” Im said.
“North Korea likely sees securing resources as crucial for two upcoming major events: the 80th anniversary of its ruling party this year and the Ninth Party Congress early next year,” Im explained. “This expansion of imports may also serve to reinforce North Korea’s ‘hostile state’ policy toward South Korea while strengthening ties with Russia.”
February 19, 2025 at 01:53PM
by DailyNK(North Korean Media)